Three California annual forbs show little response to neighbor removal |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Geneticist, U.S. Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service, Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Logan, UT 84322-6300, USA;2. Plant Physiologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service, Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Logan, UT 84322-6300, USA;2. Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS, Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Logan, UT 84322, USA;3. Professor, Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA;4. Research Botanist (Emeritus), USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Boise, ID 83702, USA;5. Research Ecologist, USDA-ARS, Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Logan, UT 84322, USA;1. Ternopil Ivan Pul’uj National Technical University, Ruska 56, Ternopil, 46001, Ukraine;2. Institut Pascal, UMR 6602 / UBP / CNRS / IFMA, Clermont Université, BP 265, 63175 Aubière Cedex, France |
| |
| Abstract: | In semi-arid systems, competition among plants has limited effects on performance compared to facilitative interactions and abiotic factors. However, the balance between competition and facilitation can change over the course of plant development. Determining when each interaction is important for plant productivity allows us to identify factors limiting plant growth. In this field study, neighbor removal mid-way through the growing season did not result in a size change for any species (Clarkia purpurea, Plantago erecta, and Micropus californicus) in the first year. In the second year, two species had greater biomass when neighbors were removed very early in the growing season, indicating a competitive effect. The third species neither benefited nor suffered from neighbor removal. In some years, P. erecta and M. californicus may be negatively affected by competition at early growth stages and are later unable to capitalize on newly-available resources after removals of competitors. This study shows that early-stage competition can drive biomass production in some annual plants, even in semi-arid systems. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
